[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 39 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E407-E408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            72ND ANNIVERSARY BANQUET OF YESHIVAH OF FLATBUSH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 1999

  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to invite my colleagues to pay 
tribute to the Yeshivah of Flatbush and it's honorees on the occasion 
of it's 72nd Anniversary Banquet.
  The Yeshivah of Flatbush has long served as a pillar of strength for 
my constituents by providing our children with the tools they will need 
to face the challenges of the twenty-first century.
  Dr. Mayer Ballas, recipient of the Keter Shem Tov Leadership Award, 
has dedicated himself to helping members of the community as an 
advocate and spokesperson for Jewish people in need. He is the founding 
President of the Council of Rescue of Syrian Jews and has served as a 
member of the Federation Oversight Committee, the arm of Operation 
Abraham concerned with the resettlement of the most recent wave of 
immigrants from Syria. At the Yeshivah of Flatbush, Dr. Ballas sits on 
the Board of Directors and Board of Education and is a member of the 
Tuition Assistance Committee. He participates in all school functions 
and generously gives of himself and his time to the Yeshivah.
  Hon. Steven Cohn, recipient of the Keter Shem Tov Community Service 
Award, is staunchly committed to both the Yeshivah and his community. 
For the past sixteen years, Mr. Cohn has served as the Democratic State 
Committeeman for the 50th Assembly District. He is the Vice-Chair of 
the New York State Democratic Party, Secretary of the Democratic Party 
of Kings County and has served as Parliamentarian to the Democratic 
National Convention. Working side by side with community leaders, 
elected officials and neighborhood residents to protect the 
environment, improve homeless shelters and maintain quality medical 
care in his district. His affiliation with the Yeshivah of Flatbush 
parallels his children's education and has strengthened over the years. 
In addition to working on the Banquet Journal, Chinese Auction and 
Building Committees, Steve is currently an Associate Treasurer on the 
Executive Board of Officers and sits on the school's Board of Trustees 
and Board of Education.
  Dr. Cheryl Fishbein, recipient of the Alumna of the Year Award, is an 
alumna of both the Elementary School and the Joel Braverman High 
School. Throughout her adult life, Cheryl has focused her efforts on 
serving the community. She is President of the Jewish Community House 
in Bensonhurst and is currently overseeing its capital building 
campaign. She serves as the Metro Chair of the Institutional Trustees 
Campaign for UJA and sits on the organization's Planning and 
Allocations Committee. Additionally, Dr. Fishbein devotes much of her 
time to the Board of Jewish Education and serves as a Vice President of 
its Board of Directors. She also sits on the Boards of Gesher and the 
National Board of the Jewish Community Center Association.
  Each of today's honorees have long been known as innovators and 
beacons of good will to all those they come into contact with. In 
recognition of their may accomplishments on

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behalf of my constituents. I offer many congratulations on their being 
honored by the Yeshivah of Flatbush.

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